Gay visitors to San Francisco usually spend plenty of time in the Castro and Mission neighborhoods, but I'm surprised how often they overlook lovely Church Street, which straddles the two districts and makes for an engaging stroll, past historic Mission High School, by leafy Mission Dolores Park, and past a handful of highly gay-popular businesses. It's also a handy transit thoroughfare, because the San Francisco MUNI J Streetcar line passes along here, connecting with several bus lines as well as the N Streetcar line. One highly important business of note along Church is the superb Parker Guest House, a first-rate inn I had the pleasure of staying in for a couple of days last week. Read my review of this elegant yet easygoing 21-room property that draws a mosty gay clientele.
Church Street also has a handful of great restaurants, most of them along the block between Market and 15th streets. My favorite is Chow
, but there's also Muddy Waters Coffee House for a quick pick-me-up, Miyabi for excellent and affordable sushi, the Crepevine for crepes as well as a variety of great sandwiches and breakfast treats, and Sparky's Diner for 24-hour greasy-spoon snacking and diverting people-watching. For a cocktail, pop inside the laid-back Pilsner Inn, a no-attitude gay bar with a cute garden in back - or stroll just across Market Street to the Transfer, a somewhat sleepy neighborhood bar with a mixed gay/straight following. Also on this side of Market you'll find a trendy restaurant called Home, where I've personally endured fairly awful service, but I know plenty of devotees who vouch for the creative comfort food. For more photos of the city, visit my San Francisco photo gallery. Also, check here for a quick overview of what's where in this fascinating metropolis.